Vladimir Putin‘s closest ally in Europe has been warned a group of dissidents is ready to remove him from power.

The leader of the resistance group BYPOL, Aliaksandr Azarau, claimed in an interview this week that over 200,000 people had already signed up to help carry out the coup to oust Alexander Lukashenko.

Speaking to Belgian broadcaster VRT, Azarau said: “We have worked out a plan and will put it into effect at the right time.”

The dissident kept details of BYPOL’s strategy under wrap but said recent sabotage operations carried out across Belarus offer clues as to what they have planned.

He added that another 5,000 citizens have said they would be prepared to take part in “special operations” or sabotage to undermine Lukashenko’s government.

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